Q: Hi, I joined a company in Dubai free zone 3 months ago with unlimited contract and a probation period of 6 months. My current situation is that I am not comfortable with my current employer and want to come back to my home country. I have handled my resignation letter 10 days ago. My visa is still in the process of making and I have not got my passport back yet. The company does not want me to leave and now requires me to pay 30000 AED without giving any explanation. Could you please let me know if Free Zone Labor Law allows a company to charge employee resigning from work during probation period? What is the process of resignation from here? When should company return my passport? Regards, Karolis Griskevicius

Q: I am working as a trainee for an LLC company in Dubai since May 13, 2018, but I received my appointment letter as sales coordinator on June 2, 2018. I got my company visa only in Aug 2018. Until August, I was working on my visit visa, since the company asked me to do so. Now, I am under 6 months probation period. My job designation on the visa is Sales Executive even though I was appointed as sales coordinator. I want to quit my job desperately since I am unable to handle the work pressure as I am handling sales coordinator as well as executive job and office jobs at the same time. But I still didn't finish my probation period. My employment contract is unlimited. So will I get a ban or am I supposed to pay visa expenses to the company if I resign before the completion of my probation period? Will I have to serve notice period if I resign? Also, what will happen if I am terminated?

Q: Hi Sir, I work for a company in Dubai, and it's been three months now. But I do not like it here and I want to go back home. What am I supposed to do now? Please advise.

Q: Hi Mr Hari, Hope you're doing well. I would like to ask if I'm obliged to pay my employer before I can leave the company. I'm currently employed in a free zone company in Al Qouz for 3 months, and I'm still in the probationary period. I would like to resign because I got another job and also I'm not comfortable with the environment; that's why I look for another opportunity. Now, my employer would like me to pay a sum of AED 5250. This fine, is it for the visa and Emirates ID? And do I really need to pay them that amount? Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you soon. Best regards,

Q: I have been working in a hospital for 5 months when I submitted my resignation. I am a laboratory professional but my visa is archive clerk. My contract states I (may) work under 6 months probation period and states that the notice period is 3 months when either party terminates the contract. My question is I am still in the probation period, does this notice still applies? I tried to compensate for my remaining notice but they said they are currently not accepting it because there is no applicant but they are not posting their vacancy. Is there anything I can do to lessen my notice period? Thank you.

Q: Can I leave my job even I signed a contract and offer letter but no visa?

س: مرحبًا، أعمل في شركة مقرها دبي بعقد غير محدد المدة وأرغب في تقديم الاستقالة مع العلم أنني لم أقضِ فترة الاختبار البالغة ٦ أشهر. ما المترتب على ذلك؟ وهل سأطالب بتعويض مادي للشركة؟ وهل للشركة الحق في خصم آخر راتب من رواتبي؟

Q: Sir/Ma'am, I sent my resignation through email but they rejected it and also told me that I face legal consequences. I am on probation period. Does my employer have to accept the resignation to start the notice period? What should I do? Will I serve my notice period?

The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.

The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.

This Decree sets the rules and conditions for the termination of fixed-term (limited) or unlimited (not term-bound) employment contract between employer and worker in the United Arab Emirates.

The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).